When I lost my baby in a rogue attack, Theron just happened to be passing by with his female beta beside him—a slick, pretty wolf from our pack. He glanced over at me lying there, covered in blood, then shielded her companion’s eyes and muttered, “Bad luck. Don’t look.” Without another word, they walked off.

That same night, while I was in the bedroom, I caught the strong scent of someone else lingering on our bed—perfume, and a piece of cloak fabric stuffed in the corner, something that definitely wasn’t mine. Calmly, I put it down and made a call. “Alpha Faelan, I’ve made my decision. I’ll be ready to leave the pack and start with your team next week.”

—

"That's great news, Luna Selene! We're thrilled to have you join the pack!" he replied warmly, his voice full of excitement.

The moment the call ended, Theron strolled out of the stream. His fur was still damp, and droplets clung to his coat, catching the moonlight.

He used to take quick, five-minute dips in the lake. Recently, though, he lingered, often for half an hour, always keeping his attention on his device.

"Who were you talking to?" he asked, barely looking up from his own gadget.

"I was on the line with Faelan," I replied truthfully.

"Hm," he murmured, his focus already elsewhere. As usual, he didn’t really care to listen.

And for the first time, I didn’t feel the urge to growl or snap back. Instead, I quietly started drafting my letter to leave the pack.

When he reached for his water bowl, expecting the soothing herbs I used to brew for him each night, he stopped, noticing it wasn’t there.

Finally, he cast a glance my way.

“I showed your leg wound to the healer. Said it was just a small scrape, nothing too worrying. Just keep it dry,” he said with indifference.

“Alright,” I replied without lifting my gaze, still working on my tablet.

This afternoon, I’d gotten eight stitches from a hunt gone wrong. And to make it worse, I’d just discovered I was four weeks pregnant, already feeling signs that I might lose the pup. The healer had apologized, mentioning that if I’d been brought in sooner, the little one might’ve survived.

Seeing the blank expression on my face, Theron frowned, his amber eyes glinting with suspicion as he started to stride over to check what I was doing. But just then, a distant howl echoed through the trees, and his expression softened. His lips curved into a sly smile, and without another glance, he turned and disappeared into his private room.

Once he was out of sight, I opened up my hidden moon slate account and started scrolling through the pack feed. Sure enough, there was a fresh post—visible to everyone but me.

It was an apology to the whole pack.

“I shouldn’t have let my favorite scout down. Promised her a hunt after patrol, but duty called, and I made her wait a whole moon’s turn. Completely my fault. I’ll do better from now on. I swear, as your Alpha.”

I liked the post and, in the same breath, received a notification from Alpha Faelan: the blood pact agreement. I clicked and marked my paw print without hesitation.

The next morning, Theron rose early and returned with fresh-caught game and herbs from the nearby meadow. Just as I reached for a bundle with the rare wildberries, he slapped my hand away.

“You like the fresh elk meat, right? I got some just for you.”

I froze for a second, realizing—the wildberries weren’t for me. They were for his beta female—for Celeste Thornclaw.

Unable to hold back any longer, I growled, “We’ve run together for seven seasons, and you still don’t know I’m sensitive to fresh elk meat?”

His gaze darkened, and he rose abruptly, snarling, “Quit making a fuss. Eat or leave it. Doesn’t matter to me.”

As he prepared to leave, I stepped into the den and returned with what I saw in our rooml.

“When you see Celeste later, do me a favor and return this to her.”

Theron’s brows knitted as he took the cloak. When he peeked inside and saw the delicate fur-lined cloak, a flash of surprise crossed his gaze. His mouth opened, as if he were about to explain something, but when he saw my calm, indifferent expression, he simply said, “I’ll tell her to stop being so careless.”

“Yeah,” I replied quietly.

Sensing my low mood, Theron offered, “I can walk you to the border path today.”

Seven seasons together, and not once had he walked me to my patrol, no matter how heavy the storms or harsh the weather. He always kept pack duties and personal matters separate.

But Celeste ? On her very first day as his beta, she was already getting escorted by my mate.

As I pondered the difference between how Theron treated his scout and his own mate, I accidentally knocked my drinking horn to the ground. My fingers trembled as I bent down to retrieve it.

When I straightened, I saw Theron standing at the entrance to the den, ready to leave. Without a backward glance, he called over his shoulder, “Something urgent came up with the council. I’ll walk with you next time,” before disappearing into the forest.

Half an hour later, I limped my way to my scouting post, noting the way some pack members glanced at me with a mix of sympathy and concern. Later, while filling my canteen at the river near the camp, I overheard two scouts whispering to each other.

“So it’s true—Alpha Theron has been spending more time with that new female beta, Celeste?” one asked.

“Uh-huh! You should have seen it this morning! Celeste showed up with some burrs on her coat, and Theron helped brush them off right in front of the whole council,” the other replied.

My hand slipped, and the canteen clattered onto the rocks, silencing their whispers. I crouched down to gather it, careful not to say anything.

I ended up working late, long after the moon had risen. It was past midnight when, suddenly, I felt a familiar weight settle on my shoulders.

“Selene,” Theron muttered, draping a cloak over my shoulders, “why didn’t you respond to my calls?”

I didn’t turn around; instead, I glanced at my comm-stone to see his last message: What flavor of moonberry brew do you usually like?

Three years ago, I had asked him for the first brew of summer. Back then, he had looked at me with pure disdain and scoffed, “Moonberry brew? You want me to make that for you? Selene, you’re nearly thirty winters old! Don’t make me cringe with this pup’s drink nonsense!”

But behind me, there he was, holding a fresh flask of moonberry brew.

I kept my gaze on the reports spread out in front of me, ignoring the sweet-scented flask.

I could sense his expression shifting as he spoke again, sounding almost confused. “You used to beg me for this.”

“It’s past moonrise,” I said dismissively. “If I drink it now, I won’t sleep.”

A brief silence stretched between us. Then, in a cold tone, he muttered, “I’m going to the edge of camp for a bit. Let’s head back together afterward.”

Barely thirty seconds later, his comm-stone lit up on my workbench. I glanced down to see it was a message from Celeste.

“You big goof! Who brings a whole crate of brews? Are you trying to turn me into a den-bound wolf? Freezing here!”

I shifted my eyes back to the maps on my table nonchalantly and organized the supplies scattered around. We returned to the den a little after midnight. As soon as I stepped in, I headed straight to my sleeping quarters and began gathering my things.

When Theron walked in, freshly groomed from the stream, he noticed my shelf looking barer than usual. He frowned but didn’t seem too concerned. “Hey, I’m headed to the Shadowmoon Territory next month for a council meet. If you want any herbs or tinctures, just make a list, and I’ll bring them back.”

I didn’t even hesitate. “Nah. I don’t need anything. Thanks anyway.”

After all, I’d be leaving in a few days. What was the point?

Suddenly, he tossed his cloak onto the bed, his eyes cold as he glared at me. “So, what? You’re sulking because I brought you the wrong food? Is that what this is about?”

I opened my mouth to say I wasn’t angry, but he scoffed before I could get a word in.

“You know I can’t stand wolves being dramatic,” he said with a look of disgust. “Selene, you’re way out of line.”

With that, he stormed out of the room and into his study, slamming the wooden door behind him.

In our seven seasons together, he’d always been the one to dish out the silent treatment countless times. And every single time, I’d been the one to swallow my pride and apologize to make things right. But this time, I just cocked an eyebrow and lay down, blowing out the bedside lantern.

He stayed in the study all night. For the first time, he didn’t hear a single knock on the door.

The next morning, I prepared a simple breakfast as usual. I’d just finished my portion and was getting ready to leave for my patrol when he stepped out of the study.

He was checking his comm-stone as he barked at me, “Take the day off. By moonset, I need you to make me an exact replica of the ceremonial honeycake.”

Ever since Theron and I started dating, I’d been making him a honeycake every single year—all by hand, as any wolf who truly cared would.

But when I glanced at the screen of his moonstone, I knew right then who it was meant for this time.

I recognized the little cartoon wolf avatar on his screen—it was Celeste’s profile picture.

I didn’t say a thing, letting an uneasy silence settle in the den. But Theron seemed completely oblivious to how unreasonable his request was. He just looked at me, waiting for me to agree.

Eventually, I just nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “Send me the image,” I said, rising to my feet. “I’ll head out to gather the ingredients.”

I thought back to that night seven years ago. If Theron hadn’t been there… I might not have made it through my first rogue encounter unscathed.

I looked back at him one last time, thinking, Once I finish this cake, I’ll finally be done with him.

I moved towards the den exit, each step feeling heavier than the last. Before I reached the door, Theron’s voice broke the silence.

“Selene…” he started, his tone uncertain.

I didn’t bother turning around. “Anything else?” I asked, my voice cold.

He hesitated before speaking again. “...I’ll send you some credits for the ingredients.”

I continued on without a word.

When I stepped outside, I pulled out my device. Opening up our chat history, I stared at the numbers.

5,363—that’s how many messages I’d sent him.

He’d only replied to 25.

It was exhausting to care, so all I could do was smirk.

Back in the den, Theron’s moonstone would buzz with the notification of the credit transfer being rejected. I could imagine his hand clenched around his moonstone, staring at the alert with frustration.

Later that evening, around 8 p.m., my moonstone rang, Theron’s name lighting up the screen.

“Hey, where are you?” he asked, sounding almost… concerned.

I was seated in a booth at a diner near my place, picking at my food. “What’s up?” I replied, sidestepping his question.

“Nothing much,” Theron responded, his voice softer now. “I just wanted to say… the cake was delicious. As always.”

There was a brief pause before he added in a lower voice, “Thanks. I know it was a lot of effort.”

Before I could say anything, I heard Celeste’s sickly-sweet voice in the background.

“Selene!” she chirped, her tone light and annoyingly sweet. “I heard from Theron that you made my honeycake today! Wow, you’re so talented! I wish I could do that… but I’m just so clumsy. Theron always calls me his ‘little pup.’”

I could practically see her pouting, her eyes wide with fake innocence as she spoke.

Before I could even process her words, she invited me to the pack gathering.

But I didn’t have a chance to respond before Theron’s voice came back on the line, this time a bit firmer. “Well, you don’t really need to come,” he said quickly before hanging up.

A few minutes later, my moonstone buzzed again. It was a message from him, with his location pinned and a note attached: If you do swing by, could you grab a bag of venison-flavored chips for Celeste from the pack store?

I sighed, letting out a faint, sarcastic smile.

When I pushed the door open to the private den, I spotted Theron immediately. He was feeding Celeste a slice of the cake I’d made, her eyes wide and doe-like as she looked up at him.

The moment he saw me, his expression shifted to irritation. His gaze darkened, and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

Why did I show up?

I already knew Celeste had been the one to send the message, not him. But I’d come anyway.

“Selene!” Celeste greeted me with a bright smile, her voice as sugary as always.

Theron’s eyes narrowed, and I could feel the tension rise in the room.

“Didn’t I tell you not to come?” he snapped, his irritation cutting through the air.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Celeste quickly jumped in, pouting in that over-the-top way she always did. “I’m sorry, Theron. I just wanted some venison chips, so I tricked her into coming,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence.

Theron’s hard expression softened as he reached out, ruffling Celeste’s hair affectionately. “You little mischief-maker,” he muttered with a fond smile.

Watching him, I knew this was my moment. I reached into my bag and pulled out a letter.

“Theron,” I said, stepping forward, “one of our scouts has a family emergency and needs to leave for a bit. I’ll need your signature to approve it.”

Normally, our pack’s second-in-command would handle things like this, but since it was me, they’d asked me to deliver the letter directly.

The room was dim, shadows casting across Theron’s face. He barely glanced at the letter before he signed it, his focus still on Celeste, the birthday “celebrant.”

As I reached for the letter, Theron’s hand shot out, catching mine in his grip. His face shifted, a strange look crossing his eyes as he stared at my hand.

“You… You came here just for this?” he asked, his voice low and difficult to read.

I nodded, keeping my expression steady.

His face darkened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to say something more. But then he flinched, pulling his hand back as if he’d been burned.

I realized his fingers had brushed the burn marks on my palm from baking the cake. Maybe the feel of them repulsed him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Celeste’s gaze flicker with sudden interest. “Oh, Selene!” she said, her eyes catching on my wrist. “That red charm bracelet you’re wearing… it looks quite familiar.”

Her smile widened as she leaned in. “I just remembered, a few days ago, I saw something just like that… in Theron’s trash.”

I watched Theron subtly move his hand to cover his wrist where his bond mark was hidden, but I pretended not to notice. Keeping my voice calm, I replied, "These charm bracelets are pretty common. If you like it, I can give this one to you."

Celeste didn’t respond, just looked away with a small frown.

When I walked out of the den, I headed straight for the nearest trash can and tossed the bracelet inside. I'd worn it for the past seven years, but it no longer meant anything—just discarded scraps.